Mikoto... (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Because Uchiha Kurohane had been unable to learn ninjutsu, he had practiced taijutsu diligently since he was a child.

However, he felt that it was foolish for a ninja to fight with their bare fists.

In the early stages of the Hokage era, there were many scenes where enemies were sent flying by a single punch or kick, yet they remained completely uninjured afterward.

If one were to strike with a kunai instead of bare hands in such moments, they could at least inflict a wound on the enemy.

In reality, ninjas were glass cannons with high attack and low defense; the physiques of most powerhouses were no different from those of ordinary mortals.

As long as one could pierce their vital organs with a kunai, the outcome of the battle was essentially decided.

Therefore, the taijutsu Uchiha Kurohane practiced was not ordinary taijutsu, but a style centered on fighting with a kunai.

He was an expert at fighting with a kunai, and that was bolstered by the close-quarters combat talent entry he had just obtained from Yakushi Nonō.

Since she was also a ninja skilled in kunai combat, Uchiha Kurohane's current prowess with the weapon was formidable.

However, he did not know the extent of Uchiha Mikoto's strength; he would need to spar with her to determine who was stronger.

"Very well, we shall do it your way."

Uchiha Mikoto knew the conditions she had proposed were too harsh. She had expected Uchiha Kurohane to object and was already prepared to negotiate with him.

She hadn't expected Uchiha Kurohane to have no complaints and agree so readily.

This actually made Mikoto feel a bit embarrassed.

I am five years older than him, have already graduated from the Ninja Academy, and am a Genin.

My combat experience is far richer than his; fighting him is like an adult picking on a child.

To take advantage of him under these circumstances... I feel a bit shameless.

As Uchiha Mikoto felt ashamed, she began to appreciate Uchiha Kurohane even more.

Although this child is young, his personality is very straightforward.

Is he so confident that he can definitely beat me, or does he simply not care if he loses and becomes my subordinate?

While lost in thought, Uchiha Mikoto finished the rest of her pancake, brushed the dust off her backside, and stood up.

She took two wooden kunai from her ninja tool pouch and handed one to Uchiha Kurohane.

"Let's begin now."

Uchiha Kurohane finished his remaining pancake in one bite, took the wooden kunai, and walked to the other side, putting some distance between himself and Mikoto.

He then extended his index finger toward Uchiha Mikoto and beckoned, gesturing for her to come at him.

Seeing this gesture, Uchiha Mikoto felt an inexplicable sense of dissatisfaction.

Kurohane seems to really look down on me. Damn it, I can't lose face; I have to show him my true strength!

Uchiha Mikoto gripped the wooden kunai tightly, pushed off with both feet, and sprang forward like a coiled spring.

She rushed in front of Uchiha Kurohane with lightning speed, simultaneously thrusting the wooden kunai toward his heart.

Mikoto utilized the momentum of her charge to increase the power of her strike.

Although Mikoto was fast, she was still only at the level of a Genin.

Even without activating his Sharingan, Uchiha Kurohane could see her movements clearly and easily raised his wooden kunai to block.

Clang!

The two wooden kunai collided, emitting a dull thud.

He blocked my attack without even activating his Sharingan?

The rumors about him being a dead last must be false!

Uchiha Mikoto dared not be careless; she focused her attention and fought with all her might.

Swish, swish, swish.

Thrust! Sweep!

Mikoto attacked continuously with her kunai.

Uchiha Kurohane parried each strike with his own.

Clang, clang, clang!

Although Uchiha Kurohane did not counterattack and remained on the defensive, his immense strength was transmitted through the wooden kunai to Mikoto's hands.

Uchiha Mikoto soon felt her small hands aching and sore, and panic began to set in.

He's so strong!

It's fortunate that I forbade him from using Chakra Enhanced Strength in advance, otherwise, I truly wouldn't have a shred of a chance.

If this continues, I won't be able to hold onto my kunai much longer. I can't fight him head-on; I have to use technique!

Uchiha Mikoto pushed off the ground with both feet and leaped high into the air.

Spin! Jump!

She agilely landed behind Uchiha Kurohane and thrust her kunai toward his lower back.

Through the eyes of a crow perched in the trees, Uchiha Kurohane watched Uchiha Mikoto's movements. Without turning around, he flicked his hand backward, blocking Mikoto's kunai while keeping his back to her.

Uchiha Mikoto was stunned by the sight.

Does he have eyes in the back of his head?

How could he see an attack coming from behind?

Even the Sharingan doesn't grant such an ability!

After blocking Mikoto's strike, Uchiha Kurohane didn't move; he simply stood there, his back still turned toward her.

That back, radiating such confidence, made Mikoto instinctively take a step back.

Why won't he turn around after blocking my attack?

Is he planning to fight me while keeping his back turned?

Is he just trying to look cool, or does he look down on me?

Although, it really is cool!

The iron rule of ninja combat was to never expose one's back to an enemy.

Seeing a combat stance that turned its back on an opponent for the first time, Uchiha Mikoto felt her heart race and her cheeks flush.

Even if he's cool, he doesn't have the Byakugan; he definitely can't see what's happening behind him. This is my chance to win!

Uchiha Mikoto steeled herself and launched a flurry of stabs toward Uchiha Kurohane's back.

But she didn't know that Uchiha Kurohane was merely teasing her, giving her a glimmer of hope for victory.

Maintaining his position with his back to her, he easily dodged left and right, evading Mikoto's attacks one after another.

Uchiha Mikoto was dumbfounded; she couldn't understand how Uchiha Kurohane was seeing her.

She thrust at Uchiha Kurohane with all her might, but she couldn't land a single hit, feeling inexplicably frustrated.

The beautiful young girl lost her usual grace, locking horns with Uchiha Kurohane.

Gritting her teeth, she lashed out at Uchiha Kurohane in a fit of helpless, furious rage.

After dodging a few more times, Uchiha Kurohane decided it was enough; he suddenly spun around and lunged straight at Mikoto.

Caught up in the intensity of the moment, Mikoto failed to react in time and was tackled to the ground by Uchiha Kurohane.

Utilizing the Jujutsu talent he had learned from Yakushi Nonō, Uchiha Kurohane straddled Mikoto's slender waist, pinning her shoulders to the ground with both hands.

Uchiha Kurohane curled his lips, looking down at Mikoto's delicate, oval-shaped face, and said with a wicked grin.

"Sister Mikoto, you've lost."

Uchiha Mikoto stared at Uchiha Kurohane, who was pinning her down, and it took a moment for the reality to sink in.

She had actually lost, and to be pinned to the ground by Uchiha Kurohane—it was so embarrassing!

One had to remember, he was five years younger than her.

As the older sister, being held down by a little brother was something she truly couldn't accept.

Uchiha Mikoto offered a bewitching smile, thinking to herself.

You're just a child; your body is too light. You can't keep me pinned down.

Mikoto suddenly exerted force through her waist and legs, forcibly rolling over to straddle Uchiha Kurohane's waist